The Bug Out Bag

Purchasing gear for a
bug out bag can be quite a daunting task, especially
given the fact that we most likely have never been in
such a situation to have needed it. We are often
haunted by the question that when we get out there in a
real crisis scenario: what is that one thing that we
should have packed?

Especially for putting
together a bug out bag,
it is important to ask
yourself what sensible
balance is acceptable of
several ratio-type
questions. For
instance, what is the
balance between time and
comfort? Or, what is
the balance between
mobility and
preparedness? You need
to have a clear picture
of why you need
this particular bug out
bag and how to
adequately supply it.
Usually, these balances
boil down to the
compilation of the most
common types of Bug Out
Bags.

Keep in
mind that these types of
bug out bags are worlds
apart. There is the
72-hour bug out bag,
which we refer to as an
every day carry bag.
Then there is the Bug
Out Bag required for
sustainability. In other
words, what you have on
your back is all you've
got.

72 Hour Bug Out
Bag, Every Day Carry Bag

A 72-hour
bag is purposed exactly
the way it was named: it
should be crafted to get
you through a 72-hour
survival scenario. The
reason why many
survivalists pick the
3-day window is because
in most cases, you will
be rescued and back in
civilization by the
third day. Also,
packing for 72 hours is
rather easy, as there
are a few categories of
provisions that you
can survive without
over the course of 3
days. Any amount of time
beyond that, and you’re
going to need to pack
differently.

The
72-hour kit is supposed
to be highly mobile,
lightweight and packable,
meaning that your
sheltering system may be
below par, you may not
have packed those tasty
MRE’s (but rather
settled for a granola
bar or two), and most of
the items in there are
either cheap or
disposable. Why? The
answer is simple:
there’s no sense in
spending all that cash
and load all that weight
for a three-day pack.
In summary, consider
these two main points:

The
reason why we’re
looking at time vs.
comfort is because
the less time for
which you are
preparing, the fewer
creature comforts
that will be in your
pack.

If
the pack is designed
for a week or a
month, then you’re
going to need more
gear that adds to
your comfort and
sustainability.

However,
this balance does not
address the medical and
first aid aspect of your
72-hour kit. In fact,
you might even be
compelled to overdo your
kit’s medical supplies,
especially because if
you are stuck in a 3-day
survival scenario, then
there’s a good chance
you’ve already sustained
injuries. Do yourself a
solid favor and go heavy
on first aid and medical
supplies!

The Sustainable Bug
Out Bag

This is your "I'm never
coming home bag". Let’s be real here folks. Of course at
some point you will go back. The fire will burn itself
out, the earthquake will stop, the hurricane will blow
over, the great flood will recede, and the fighting will
end, it just may take longer than you think. If you
establish a life elsewhere and do not wish to return you
can yes, a treasure map and make sure you keep it in
your bug out bag. Don’t rely on GPS as the satellites
may be down. This is the mindset: I’ll come back here
someday, at least to get my stuff.

Here are the seven basic types of gear to be contained in
your bug out bar:

Water:
bottles, including catchment + purification tools

Food:
primarily MRE's, energy bars

Clothing:
rotated seasonally

Shelter:
tarp, tent, sleeping bag

First Aid:
good, basic kit

Weapons:
handgun in common caliber, ammo, knife

Basic Gear:
think Camping, rain, fire, cooking, light

There is no
‘one-size-fits-all’ pack that will work for every single
scenario. This is the one of the biggest common
misconceptions that preppers often have, and it’s to the
detriment of their peace of mind and bank accounts. It
is best to have several packs for different purposes,
allowing you to have more numerous, more accessible and
more complete options when you may come to need them.
When you’ve prepared beforehand, your chances of
survival are much better!